live organic. love organic.

Category: wellness

Healing the gut completely is essential for a full recovery from Late Stage or Chronic Lyme Disease, and a little known fact is that 80% of your immune system lies in your gut. Antibiotics ultimately disrupt gut flora and weaken the immune system, making it harder to eradicate the disease completely. Infections are likely to come back later if the immune system is compromised. Where Lyme disease is greatly misunderstood, is that we focus on killing the bacteria itself as opposed to full gut restoration and immune modulation first. If this is done, the body will respond to the “kill” more effectively and with far less damage. In essence, build the body and immune system up first so that it starts to fight the disease itself. Dr. Jernigan notes, as my own doctor did, that it explains why some people are “sick” with Lyme, while others have the presence of Borrelia in their systems with no symptoms at all.

“Even in Lyme disease, the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi and the many associated co-infections will likely be shown in the near future to be more eloquently addressed by using targeted combinations of friendly bacteria, instead of antibiotics to attack and suppress the bad bacteria from ever being able to cause disease. Indeed, a person’s microbiome, in combination with the overall health and healthy lifestyle of the individual, may be the determining factor as to whether someone gets full blown Lyme disease or if they are simply a carrier when bitten by an infected tick, mosquito, or other blood-sucking bugs, not to mention sexual or gestational transmitted Lyme bacteria.” – Dr. David Jernigan

Chronic Fatigue, Muscle/Nerve Pain, Fibromyalgia… All of these are symptoms of a much bigger issue, most notably, Lyme Disease. I, myself, was in chronic pain from 2011-2016 without a proper diagnosis, until Borrelia and Babesia (a co-infection of Lyme) were eventually discovered with further testing. Lyme is easily missed with standard blood tests, as I was originally tested for the disease back in 2011 when my symptoms first began. That test was negative. The disease spread rapidly and by 2013 and my muscles, nerves, heart and lungs were badly damaged by the constant autoimmune attack on my body, which also caused debilitating pain. In 2016 I received treatment at the Infusio Clinic with Dr. Philip Battiade, a brilliant German Homeopathic Doctor. I skipped the antibiotic route entirely and did immune modulation, anti-microbials, vitamin IV’s and finally, an innovative stem cell treatment using fat cells from my abdomen. This is how my health journey began, and why I fight so hard for the health of others and Functional Medicine, which focuses on the root cause of disease, not just temporary relief of symptoms. In the conventional medical world, immunosuppressives and steroids are used to “treat” autoimmune disorders. I find this to be counterintuitive as it puts further stress on the body. Please message me if you have any questions about treating Lyme, immune modulation or autoimmune disease.

Let’s face it. Health is trending. Juice Cleanses are more popular than ever. People have finally stopped counting calories and started counting ingredients. Amy’s Organic built the first completely organic “fast food” drive through in a small town in Northern California and Food Babe recently convinced Subway to remove the Yoga Mat Chemical from their breads. As happy as I am to see the results of our demanding healthier options in the last five years, there’s also a disturbing trend of corporate companies supported by Monsanto (Dean Foods), jumping on the bandwagon and releasing “healthy” options themselves, without the consumer understanding that the additives are anything but healthy, not to mention, they’re supporting Monsanto without knowing it. Horizon and Silk to be specific. Let’s take Almond Milk for example. Most Almond Milks, including brands at Whole Foods like Blue Diamond, contain less than 2% almonds, and neither are certified organic. Organic is important when it comes to almonds, otherwise you’re ingesting harsh pesticides and an almond that has lost it’s nutrition during the chemical process. Whole Foods has a great Organic Almond Milk option, but then you’re still dealing with the issue of a watered down version which should be made with mostly almonds, not water. So with all of this being said, here are my top five fave brands to support right now.

New Barn Organic Almond Milk

New Barn is the first Almond Milk I’ve found that is not only certified organic, but averages 55 almonds per bottle. Yes, the bottles are small and expensive, but often go on sale monthly for $2 off. You seriously can’t find a thicker, creamier and tastier almond milk than this. I use it for my lattes daily, and compared to all other almond milks, when I use it in my electric frother, it’s the only one that stands the true test of frothing as perfectly, rich and full as cow’s milk. More importantly, the ingredients list is short and sweet. No additives you can’t pronounce and the only Vanilla Almond Milk on the market sweetened with Organic Maple Syrup and real Vanilla Extract. I highly recommend this for iced or hot coffee. If you want to get into a discussion about the amount of water we’re using in California to deal with the increase in almond consumption over cow dairy, the documentary Cowspiracy is a great place to start. The meat and dairy industry is the #1 reason for our water problem, not growing almonds, millet and other grains, which actually ranks 11th in California’s water use. The demand for meat in America is so ridiculously high it’s literally killing us, and our planet. Not to mention, when you buy meat in a conventional grocery store, you’re at risk for contamination from very sick and abused animals. New Barn wins for taste, texture and a near perfect ingredients list. http://www.thenewbarn.com

Jackson’s Honest Chips

I choose these Purple Heirloom Potato Chips for one huge reason. They’re the only one on the market cooked in Coconut Oil. Need I say more? I steered away from chips years ago when I went through my clean eating shift in 2011, because the majority of them are cooked in Canola Oil/Safflower Oil. Coconut Oil is a super nutrient dense oil that actually has tons of health benefits, all of which you probably know by now. Yes, we health nuts use it for everything, from makeup remover to face serum to oil pulling to baking. In fact, I replace all recipes using butter with coconut oil. Jackson’s also now has GMO free Corn Chips, cooked in Coconut Oil of course. http://www.jacksonshonest.com

Artizan Organic Coffee Nespresso Pods (BPA Free/Recyclable)

Although I always liked the idea of owning a Nespresso to ditch my $5 a day Urth Cafe (LA) Organic Latte habit, I couldn’t justify the huge waste involved with using toxic plastic pods owned by Nestle filled with a crappy, pesticide ridden coffee. So late last year, in a last ditch effort, I did a quick Google search for “organic coffee pods” to see if anyone had yet decided to invent an organic pod using BPA free plastic and recyclable materials. I almost gave up the search. It was a hit overseas in the UK and Australia, but nothing was coming up for the USA. At the last minute Artizan popped up, and suddenly my $5 a day latte habit became a $.58 cents per pod miracle. I’m also super impressed with their email customer service and comprehensive, easy to navigate subscription option which ships monthly. For true doubles, I use two pods per latte using the single shot setting on my Nespresso machine, then top off with New Barn Vanilla Almond milk, add a little coconut sugar and voila: Cheaper than Starbucks, totally organic and environmentally guilt-free. http://www.artizancoffee.com

Addictive Wellness Chocolates

I stumbled upon Addictive Wellness Chocolates one day while shopping at Erewhon Market here in Los Angeles. I was immediately intrigued by their “Tranquility” Chocolate, as the caffeine content in some dark chocolate can actually keep me up at night, but night time is my favorite time to nosh on this antioxidant rich superfood. I actually slept better after “Tranquility”. Creating a medicinal chocolate is brilliant in my opinion, because it’s taking my love for herbs and plant based medicine and mixing it with my love for dark chocolate. They’re actually incorporating Taoist and Ayurvedic herbs in to a super nutrient dense dark cacao, and incorporating my favorite adaptogenic herb of all, Ashwagandha. The benefits are endless, but I use Ashwagandha to balance hormones and battle stress. It has a calming effect, but not sedating. The “Energy” is perfect if you’re on the go, with the energy buzz coming from Mesquite. Sugar-Free, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Non GMO and Soy Free. http://www.addictivewellness.com

Raw Coconut Aminos

I use this almost daily to replace vinegars for salad dressing and soy sauce. Raw Coconut Aminos contains over 17 active amino acids and tastes sweet like soy sauce, without the phytoestrogens. Soy is no longer the health food it was once considered. Not because it didn’t start out that way, because it certainly did, but because soy sauce manufacturers utilize a chemical process known as acid hydrolysis that does not incorporate fermentation. Fermentation is super important when it comes to soy. With this process, the harmful effects of the soybean are not inactivated. I’ve brought the controversial topic of soy up in many of my blog posts since 2011 because eliminating soy from my diet completely (along with gluten) was one of the main reasons I was able to heal my thyroid completely without drugs. Functional Medicine doctors go in to detail about why and how this works if you’d like more information, find one in your area. A lot of people are also unaware that soy sauce also contains gluten from wheat. In 1997 GMO soybeans went from 17% of U.S. soybean average to 68% in 2001, to an astounding 94% in 2014. Enough said. I do a very simple dressing using Organic Olive Oil, Coconut Aminos, Himalayan Sea Salt and Fresh Ground Pepper. http://www.coconutsecret.com

Finally, a Harvard Medical doctor speaks out and a study is done proving that Fluoride is a neurotixin! I’ve been blogging about this for years and learned about the connection between my own flouride intake and hypothyroidism, which now affects millions of Americans, primarily women. This is a HUGE step in the right direction, and I am so happy to see that it’s finally going mainstream. I’ve discussed the link between Flouride and Thyroid issues here before, but please know that a huge part of healing my thyroid and autoimmune disorder without drugs was making sure that this supposedly “safe” chemical was nowhere near my body. Fluoride is added to our water supply and can not be removed with a Brita Filter. Use a Reverse Osmosis water filter, which can be ordered online or if buying bottled water, Essentia or Penta, which is RO water in BPA free plastic. Find a bio dentist who does not use Fluoride for cleanings and make sure you buy Fluoride Free toothpaste! (Not Tom’s – he uses other chemicals that I’m not a fan of). Earth Gate and Earth Paste make great ones! These things are all especially important for children, as noted in this article, involving brain function and development.

1.Life moves fast. Really fast. One day you’re 23, struggling with who you are and the next, you’re 34, either embracing who you are or freaking out about it. Make the most of it. Laugh more, tweet less, love where you come from, even if it is a trailer park in Georgia. I practically lived at a Wal-Mart Super Center when I was 16 and I ain’t ashamed. Fight the good fight of life by judging less, and practicing random acts of kindness, even if it feels pointless and slightly new agey. And most of all, get after it. Get after life before it gets after you. Your dreams are rad. Promise.

2.Age is just a number… and I finally don’t give a crap about material things. For a former LA girl, not caring about pretty things or age is almost borderline insanity. At the age of 30, I left my swanky Sunset bartending gig and headed east to North Carolina, where I purchased a fancy loft in an uber cool neighborhood and thought I had surely “arrived”. Ohhhhh looky…. I own something. And it’s pretty. And it’s mine. And I’m established and all grown-up. And….. not happy. I left a year and a half later, with nothing in tow. All the retro CB2 furniture and West Elm rugs stayed behind, along with my weird, hybrid southern accent. I now live in a 500 square foot cottage in a small town in Northern California and I don’t have cable. I don’t own it. I have no utility bills. I work in a restaurant with really great people, all of whom are in their early teens to mid-twenties. They remind me of a time in my life that I truly loved, make me laugh on the daily and completely make me forget that I’m a 70’s baby. “Life is better when shared.” – Into the Wild.

3.Fall in love often. I used to think there was this one person for eveyone. That I hadn’t found my person yet. That I would. That it would be this life changing event. And maybe there still is a person. I have known those who found “true” love at 18, those who found it at 34 and those who have never found it. So love everyone you choose to be with deeply. Love them with an open heart. Love them even when you’re scared shitless. Be vulnerable. Be open. Communicate. Fight less. Know your limits. Love yourself first. Keep following your dreams and let them follow theirs. Be supportive. Trust. Have faith. Live your lives independently of one another and come home at the end of the day and talk about it. Or don’t. Sit in silence and revel in the fact that the silence isn’t awkwardness, but love. And if they don’t love you back, or they self sabotage, walk away. Simple as that. Love the next one. Do it fearlessly. And if they walk away from you first, let it go. No matter how painful it might be, no matter how much it hurts…… don’t fight for someone who won’t fight for you. Regret no one. You learned something valuable from the relationship and so did they. Also, Karma is a bitch.

5. Ego Vs. True Self. I know everything. I look down on you. I am adored. I deserve better. I am a victim. I don’t need help. I’m not shut down. I don’t need to change……. I know nothing. I am humbled. I am learning. I am open. I am loved. I love deeply. I feel compassion. I am grateful. I am trying. I AM.

6. Don’t Lie, Don’t Cheat Someone should have told this to my former self, not that I would have listened (Taurus Problems). Would have saved a lot of heartbreak. And yes…. Karma is a bitch. Besides, “Be the Change You Wish to See in the World” – Gandhi

7. It’s OK if you didn’t sell that screenplay, get a record deal, or get married. True story. “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” – John Lennon

Nothing happened the way it was supposed to. Nothing. And I’m grateful for it. It’s crazy. It’s awesome. Create the life you want to live. “Life is a journey, not a destination”. The only time is right NOW.

8. Naivety breeds miseducation. I listened to everyone and everything. Every doctor, every lover, every peer, every elder, every boss, every friend, everyone but ME when it came to my body and my health. You are your freaking destiny. Listen to those you respect, but most of all, listen to your gut. When a doctor tells you that the only way to cure strep throat is with an antibiotic, know that a course of spanish black radish will do the same, without harming the rest of your body and your immune system. Say no to the flu shot. Question the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. Do more research and tell em’ you’re not goin’ down like that. Watch documentaries on Netflix. They’re free. I can recommend at least six, three of which might save your life. Give your body a fighting chance to do what it was born to do.

9. There are two sides of every argument. Vaccinations, Cesareans, GMO’s, Abortion, Gay Marriage, Organic Food Vs. Conventional, Chiropractic Care Vs. Medical Care, Naturopath Vs. Doctor. I’m not telling you to choose a side, I’m asking you to learn everything you can about both sides and make an informed decision. Go back and forth. Study. Research. Research, Research. When you come to a conclusion, help others and teach them what you have learned. Education is a powerful thing. A closed mind is not. Question Authority and forget everything you think you know.

10.God IS Love, NOT Religion. Over 67 million views and still counting….

About a month ago, in the middle of getting a pedi and simultaneously instagramming a shot of my toes, I glance up for a moment and see Maria Brickey. She’s adorable and I can’t take my eyes off of her. Fuchsia Pink hair, boyfriend jeans, flip-flops, strategically placed, artsy tattoos and perfect skin. I’d love to knock off perfect points for the Trenti sized Starbucks cup she’s holding, but I don’t … because it’s filled with water. “She can’t be more than twenty-eight,” I think, but I raise it to thirty when she sits down next to me. Not because she doesn’t look young, but because she’s more woman than girl close-up. I want to say something to her, but I stumble like I’m crushing on Macklemore and ask her what brand her boyfriend jeans are? “American Eagle Outfitters,” she sweetly replies with a smile. And then we don’t shut-up. We literally finish each others sentences. Here’s what I find out about Maria in the next thirty minutes:

She’s actually forty-two, married to her high school sweetheart (who later walks in with full sleeves), and a mother of four, one of whom is eighteen!? When she tells me this I look at her the way I once looked at Gwen Stefani in a swanky LA hotel bathroom. The “Seriously You’re Not Just Perfect Because They Airbrush The Crap Out of You, You Are Actually Perfect” look. I’m fascinated by this real life Gwen Stefani, mainly because she doesn’t have a team of stylists, a personal chef, Tracy Anderson kicking her butt and she’s not a millionaire. She’s a local, Petaluma stay at home mom who shares my weird Essie Nail Polish fetish, Iced Green Tea addiction and Coconut Oil for everything mantra. We almost share a birthday. I’m May 7th, she’s May 8th. Team Taurus yo. We both use the adjective “rad” and “bad ass” even though it’s clearly not the 80’s anymore. We’re both health obsessed and quickly learn that even though we got in to this mess via Vanity, it isn’t about Vanity at all, but about finding “Perfect Health” at any age. We eat clean and, at the moment, we’re both doing some seriously heavy detoxing. I love her because if she said anything less than all of this, I’d have to rethink my entire blog. If Botox and processed foods were her jam, and she looked this damn good, then everything I preach would be for naught.

I love her because she wants everyone around her, including her family, to be healthy too, so she painstakingly makes everything from scratch, even pasta and bread for the kids. It’s all about ingredients, even if you’re not gluten free. I love her because after twenty-five years together, she still thinks her husband is hot as hell and refers to him as her boyfriend on weekends. I love her because this is her latest Facebook message to me:

For Maria’s baby soft skin (and no, I can’t stop touching her arm when I see her), take Dead Sea Salt baths once every few weeks to sweat out toxins. This consists of hot water and Masada Genuine Sea Salts, and no lotion afterwards, just straight coconut oil on entire body and face.

Maybe Maria is who I would have been, had I done the whole marriage/kids thing at eighteen. I would have done it her way. With love and loyalty to herself and her family, and the smarts to take care of herself and her body enough to look like a bonafide bombshell at forty-two. I mean, her kids must think she’s rad, and her husband must think he’s married to a bad ass …..

One of the things I love most about my job as a bartender, is meeting and getting to know people outside of my comfort zone. My sweet little life in a bubble is so damn sweet, but often “me centered” and let’s face it, there’s nothing like human connection. You realize how important this is later in life. So, with that being said, two of my bar peeps inspired this weeks blog post.

One, a woman in her early forties, who has kicked Cancers’ ass, not two, but THREE times. She is also on Thyroid medication for life, like thousands of other women who are told that this is their only option. No one actually believes you can reverse Thyroid Disease (or any other disease for that matter) naturally. Except… I did it. I’m proof. It’s in the pudding. Ask me.

The other, a regular of mine, who’s known me long enough to see me at my absolute worst, simply said…. “I don’t know what you’re doing, but keep doing it …. You look radiant …. and HAPPY. I don’t know how radiant I actually look, but I can tell you how I feel… and the “secret” behind it.

We live in a toxic world. Period. If we didn’t, we’d all be running around like Okinawans’, who are living well into their hundreds. I shit you not. Hundreds of them. In perfect health. Watch the documentary “Happy”. But we’re not lucky enough to live in that little corner of the world… famous in Japan for being uber healthy and toxin free. We live in America, where Starbucks and Mc Donalds reign and “health” care and the food industry are basically corruption at it’s finest. (See Monsanto). Most of you don’t know it yet, but you will. There’s a paradigm shift … and it’s happening now. People are finally understanding and grasping the truth behind the food and pharmaceutical industries and disease itself. We have the ability to reverse disease and live healthy, vibrant lives. Our bodies have this awesome ability to fight the good fight if we let it. And yes…. naturally.

All of this takes a hell of a lot of research, and I’ve personally dedicated two years of my life to finding the answers, and a hell of a lot of questions were asked and a healthy amount of skepticism was evident and, yes…. I also had to have faith. A lot of faith. I went from doctor to naturopath to holistic to acupuncturist to herbalist to nutritionist to chiropractor to therapist to neurologist and finally, I looked to myself to get to the bottom of “WHY”? Why we suffer from everything from allergies to autoimmune disorders to autism and why people are healthier in other countries and why vaccines are forced on us but not them and why we insist on genetically engineering our food, while this practice is banned in other countries… and why, why, why? If you don’t ask, you’ll never find the answer. And if you don’t ask for a second opinion,I can pretty much guarantee you’ll be lied to. And most likely, you’ll be prescribed a drug with eighteen side effects or given some diagnosis, often the wrong one, and then maybe you’ll need that drug for life, or worse, maybe you’ll need some absolutely unnecessary surgery or procedure for your lower back pain, which could be cured by simply having a few chiropractic adjustments or taking a hot yoga class. Drugs for life wasn’t an option for me. So make it not an option for you and start living the healthiest live you can live. Now.

I’m here to help you do just that. In simple terms. If you have a major disease, email me and I can help you find a good functional medicine doctor who uses NRT in your area, or if you’re simply tired of taking a medication, I can also help you understand why, how and if you can get off of them.

Here is a simple list of things you can do daily to start living a toxic free life. No hair product or TV dinner is worth death. And eventually, when toxins build up in your body, year after year, it leads to disease, and if left untreated…. death. And sure, you could die tomorrow in a car accident, and yes, I hear this all the time from people who don’t want to make these simple changes, but while you’re here on this earth, why not live happily and healthy? Afterall, “Radiance” is a beautiful thing.

1.Reverse Osmosis Water or Spring Water: Water is THE most important thing for your body. Unfortunately our water supply is loaded with chlorine and fluoride, and that’s just the beginning. Fluoridation of our water is a huge controversy right now, and some states are finally banning it as an additive, especially because it’s even more toxic for children and yes, it’s the stuff that’s in your toothpaste, and it actually causes severe thyroid issues after long periods of use. I stopped using Fluoride Toothpaste over two years ago when I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism. The absolute best thing you can do is get your water from a local spring using http://www.findaspring.com/. This is untouched water from the earth, exactly as it should be with all the good minerals your body needs and zero chemicals. I know that this can be inconvenient, depending on where you live, so in that case, buy Reverse Osmosis water from Whole Foods, because it’s the only system that removes the chlorine and fluoride completely. Brita doesn’t do shit, so don’t waste your money. Make sure you fill up a BPA free container. For more information on the dangers of Fluoride, visit http://www.fluoridealert.org/.

2. Nonstick Pans and BPA Free Plastic: This one is simple, although may seem tough at first. Nonstick pans are chemically treated and those chemicals are seeping in to your food every single time you cook. Switch to Stainless Steel cookware or an Iron Skillet. Worried about the stick? NEVER cook with olive oil (always use Raw) because Olive Oil cooked at very high temps actually goes rancid and you lose the health benefits completely. DO cook with Coconut Oil, which is extremely good for you, and in fact, the best oil out there, because it’s high in Linoleic Acid and can withstand super high temps. Also, voila…. non stick. Canola Oil and Vegetable Oil should be banned. These two items shouldn’t even be in your kitchen. They are two of the most chemically altered “foods” in the American Diet. Say buh-bye.

3. Beauty Products! I don’t care how attached you think you are to Miss Estee Lauder, you couldn’t possibly be more attached than I was when I started this journey. Give up my products? Hell no. But seriously. Hell YES. Parabens, Phthalates, SLS, Triclosan, Aluminum, Glycols, etc. ALL of these ingredients seep in to your skin and over time cause major damage, like speeding up the aging process, hormone disruption, breast cancer and even dementia and early onset Alzheimer’s. Again, this is because we insist on using these things daily, especially deodorant, which we apply, sometimes to broken skin, every single day for like fifty freaking years. Let it go. Let it all go. I blog about the alternatives. They’re amazing. Make the switch. Use Josie Maran or Mineral Fusion for makeup and for hair, go with Shikai, Andalou Organics or the higher end salon line, Oribe, which is my personal fave. As for deodorant, understand that it takes four to six weeks to sweat out the toxins that have been building up in your body, where aluminum has kept it trapped, so it’s not that the hippie Crystal stuff doesn’t work, it just takes awhile! And trust me…. it’s a good thing getting all that junk out once and for all. I apologize in advance for your stink, but I promise you, it’s worth it. Hands down, the best deodorant is Herban Cowboy for Her. Apply a few times daily until your natural scent is no longer offensive, then once daily is fine. Or make your own using coconut oil, essential oils and baking soda. This one works wonders.

4. Tampons: Without getting too detailed here, why is it considered the norm to put an object inside of your body that can potentially cause something called “Toxic Shock Syndrome”, which if left untreated, can cause death? I’m sorry, come again? It’s a tampon. What a crappy way to die. Buy Chlorine Free tampons and pads. Seventh Generation makes them with no warning message attached.

5. Food: Hate to say it, but if you’re shopping in a conventional grocery store, you’re in trouble… unless you’re shopping the perimeter and buying organic. So give up Ralph’s, Von’s, Safeway, Harris Teeter, etc. Why? Because if it’s in a box and you can’t pronounce the ingredients, your body doesn’t know WTF it is or how to process it. Not only that, all that “food” your eating is loaded with processed sugar, lecithins, chemicals and pesticides. Talk about disrupting the body and causing disease, this is the main culprit. Put down the Oreos and for the sake of the next generation, that Coke, or even worse, that Diet Coke you’re drinking, is literally killing you. High Fructose Corn Syrup and Aspartame are absolutely linked to the obesity and cancer epidemic that continues to rise in this country. The research is done and out there. Coke is feeling the pressure and trying to decide whether or not to use Stevia as their new sweetener. They’re feeling the backlash. They’ve even tried fighting the research and the controversy by putting out their own campaign against it, but it failed. If you do consume animal foods,
switch to grass fed beef, organic, free range eggs, Organic Milk, or even better, Raw Milk and stay the F away from fast food. The CAFO’s where the meat in your Double Double comes from is a breeding ground for E Coli and sick, mistreated animals. Also, these animals are grain and soy fed, and in most cases, loaded with antibiotics.

6. Toxic Relationships: This is a tough one, even for me. I have a long history of repeating this pattern. But I promise you, as my friend Brianna recently said, “A toxic relationship can make you ill and keep you there.” This couldn’t be more true and evident in my own life. If someone in your world, whether they are a friend or lover, doesn’t have the ability to be totally supportive, loving, caring, emotionally available and there for your highest good, please…. Let. Them. Go. At a recent wellness conference in NYC, the speaker asked the audience to tell him what the turning point in their journey to “perfect health” was. Most comments had to do with certain healing modalities or a certain supplement taken or doctor seen, but one woman raised her hand and simply said, “The best thing I ever did for my health was to leave my asshole of a husband.” Everyone laughed, but the speaker spoke intensely about the mind/body connection and how toxic relationships can absolutely lead to physical illness. So say goodbye to Mr. Big and find your Aidan, or better yet, go find yourself and recognize your own self worth first. Yes, I just referenced “Sex and the City” and I’m oddly at peace with it.